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Perovskite nanocrystals are embedded into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to create composites with high light absorption coefficients, tunable electronic properties, high specific surface area, and metal atom tunability for enhanced photocatalytic carban dioxide (CO2) reduction. However, existing perovskite‐MOF structures with a large particle size are achieved based on Pb source adsorption into the pores of MOFs, which can significantly break down the porous structure, thereby resulting in a decreased specific surface area and impacting CO2 adsorption. Herein, a novel perovskite‐MOF structure based on the synthesis of bimetallic Pb‐containing MOFs and post‐processing to convert Pb to CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) is proposed. It is discovered that the additional Pb is not introduced by adsorption, but instead engages in coordination and generates Pb‐N. The produced ZIF‐8@CsPbBr3 NCs are ≈40 nm and have an ultra‐high specific surface area of 1325.08 m2g−1, and excellent photovoltaic characteristics, which are beneficial for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The electronic conversion rate of composites is 450 mol g−1h−1, which is more than three times that of pure perovskites. Additionally, the superior reduction capacity is sustained after undergoing four cycles. Density Functional Thoery (DFT) simulations are used to explore the 3D charge density at the ZIF‐8@CsPbBr3 NCs interface to better understand the electrical structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Subcritical water is used as the solvent for processing of drug nanoparticles. • The use of organic solvents is eliminated by using cold water as anti-solvent. • The nanopharmaceuticals exhibit high dissolution rate. Nanonization of poorly water-soluble drugs offers an efficient approach for enhancing the bioavailability of drugs where the solubility and dissolution rate are the main limitations. The solvent anti-solvent precipitation methods have been the most straightforward technique for producing ultrasmall drug nanoparticles with narrow size distributions. By using subcritical water (SBCW) as the solvent, the use of organic solvents could be eliminated, providing a green route to nanopharmaceuticals. In this review, we aim to give a comprehensive overview and latest progress on SBCW processing for nanoparticles of poorly water-soluble drug compounds. The effects of processing parameters and stabilizers on the properties of the nanoparticles are summarized. Perspectives on existing challenges and opportunities for scale-up and commercialization of the SBCW technology are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MOF-74 or M2(dhtp) (M = metal ions, dhtp = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid), as a typical class of metal–organic frameworks (MOF), have garnered considerable interest due to their abundant unsaturated metal sites. However, environmental and economic limitations caused by the extensive use of organic solvents in traditional syntheses hinder their industrial applications. Although water as a green solvent is considered to be the best candidate solvent, water-based MOFs often have poor crystallinity and long synthesis time, and controlling the particle size is difficult. Herein, a water-based strategy is proposed to synthesize high-quality MOF-74–Co with controllable particle sizes in a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor using high-gravity technology. MOF-74–Co could be rapidly prepared in the RPB, and shows a smaller and more uniform particle size, higher crystallinity, and larger specific surface area, as compared to the counterpart prepared in a traditional stirred tank reactor. Further adopting acetic acid as a modulator, the as-prepared MOF-74–Co has the highest BET surface area (1599 m2 g−1) in the reported literature so far and simultaneously possesses a high space–time yield (293 kg m−3 day−1). High-quality MOF-74–Zn and MOF-74–Ni can also be prepared, proving the generality of this strategy. Furthermore, the small-sized MOF-74–Co-78 nm exhibits a faster adsorption rate and a larger saturation adsorption capacity (298 mg g−1) for CO2 compared with large-sized samples. This study not only advances the field of green synthesis of MOFs but also paves the way for efficient manufacturing processes in MOF-74 synthesis for CO2 adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As a major pollutant flue gas, nitric oxide (NO) emission has received great attention of the world. Various technologies have been developed to reduce NO emission. Among them, wet scrubbing approach seems to be promising concept. Ferrous chelate solution has been demonstrated as a suitable and efficient option in flue gas denitrification process due to its high reaction rate with NO and good regeneration ability. However, NO absorption rate is strongly affected by mass transfer limitation of NO and FeII(EDTA) solution in traditional reactors. In this study, RPB is firstly introduced as a gas–liquid reactor to enhance the NO removal efficiency by FeII(EDTA) solution. Preliminary experimental results are presented on the absorption of NO by investigating the effects of operating parameters on NO removal efficiency in RPB. The removal efficiency peaks when the pH value of the absorbent reaches 7. The optimum temperature for this gas–liquid absorption system is in the range of 293–303K. When the gravity level of the RPB is higher than 150g, the removal efficiency could reach 87%. In addition, the NO removal efficiency decreases with the increase of the gas–liquid ratio. The simultaneous increase of the gas and the liquid flow rates has no obvious effect on the removal efficiency. The obtained results imply a great potential of RPB in the removal of NO from flue gases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article, preliminary experimental results are presented on the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a novel high-throughput microporous tube-in-tube microchannel reactor (MTMCR), with an aqueous solution of monoethanolamine (MEA) and a mixture of CO2/N2as the working fluids. The effects of design and operating parameters on the CO2removal efficiency were investigated. The absorbent concentration was given the priority as a key factor for consideration, with the result that the CO2removal efficiency increased with increasing concentrationan and could reach 90% or even higher at a high throughput of 440 L/h for gas with an MEA concentration of 30 wt %. With a decrease of the superficial gas velocity or an increase of the superficial liquid velocity, the CO2removal efficiency increased. Increasing the absorbent temperature yielded better absorption performance. Reducing the most important structural parameters of the MTMCR, such as the micropore size and the annular channel width, led to a higher mass-transfer rate and was beneficial for CO2removal. This work also investigated the characteristics of the pressure drop of two-phase flows through the MTMCR. The results obtained imply a great potential for MTMCRs applied to the separation of the greenhouse gas CO2from the exhausted gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, size-controllable nanoparticles of amorphous cefuroxime axetil (CFA), a poorly water-soluble drug, have been prepared in a Y-junction microchannel reactor (YMCR) by nanoprecipitation for enhancing dissolution rate of CFA. The effects of the operation parameters, such as flow rate of CFA acetone solution, antisolvent flow rate, overall flow rate, CFA concentration and precipitation temperature, on particle size and size distribution were experimentally investigated. The results indicated that the particle size obviously decreased from 1100 to 630nm with decreasing the CFA solution flow rate from 16 to 2mL/min, and decreased from 450 to 350nm with the decreased temperature from 50 to 5°C. However, with the increase of the antisolvent flow rate at a fixed CFA solution flow rate of 4mL/min, the particle size obviously decreased from 1229nm (20mL/min) to 581nm (60mL/min), and then increased to 698nm (80mL/min). Also, the particle size firstly decreased and then increased with the increase of the overall flow rate and CFA solution concentration. The as-prepared CFA nanoparticles displayed a size-dependent and significantly enhanced dissolution property when compared to raw CFA and commercial spray-dried CFA. This work suggests that the continuous synthesis in a microfluidic reactor is a simple and economic way to prepare pharmaceutical nanoparticles with tunable sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article presents the preparation of nanoparticles of amorphous cefuroxime axetil (CFA) in a microporous tube-in-tube microchannel reactor (MTMCR). The experimental results indicated that CFA particle with a tunable size of 400–1400nm could be achieved under a high throughput in the range of 1.5–6L/min. The average particle size decreased with increasing overall volumetric flow rate and decreasing CFA concentration, micropore size, and annular channel width. The produced CFA nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, DSC and a dissolution test, which indicated that the nanosized CFA was amorphous and exhibited higher dissolution rate compared to the raw CFA. The MTMCR might offer a general and facile pathway for mass production of the nanoparticles of hydrophobic pharmaceuticals thanks to its high throughput capacity and excellent micromixing performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One method for increasing productivity of a microreactor is presented without demanding numbering-up processes by using a newly proposed microporous tube-in-tube microchannel reactor (MTMCR) with a high throughput of 9L/min. Barium sulphate nanoparticles with an average size of 37nm and a narrow size distribution were successfully produced in MTMCR. The size of barium sulphate particles was strongly dependent on the flow rate of the reactants in the microchannel and high flow rate was beneficial for producing small particles. Furthermore, it was possible to control the average particle size in the range from 30 to 150nm by changing the reactant concentrations and the micropore size on the surface of the inner tube. The average particle size decreased by increasing the total flow rate and reactant concentrations or decreasing the micropore size. The dispersed-phase flow rate and mixing distance exhibited little effects on the particle size. The proposed microreactor concept was confirmed to be valid and promising for the industrial production of nanoparticles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Amorphous atorvastatin calcium (AC) ultrafine powder has been successfully prepared by antisolvent precipitation and spray drying process, in which hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was employed to control the particle size and morphology. The effects of experimental parameters, such as stirring time, drug concentration and drying methods, on particle size and morphology were investigated. The average particle size of AC obviously increased from 410nm to 1200nm as the stirring time changed from 30s to 60min. The enhancement of drug concentration favored to decrease the particle size from 410nm to 240nm. After spray drying process, ultrafine AC powder was obtained, which had good dispersibility and narrow particle size distribution of 1–3μm. The as-prepared ultrafine AC was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), specific surface area and dissolution test. The XRD analyses indicated that the ultrafine AC was amorphous. In the dissolution tests, the amorphous AC ultrafine powder exhibited enhanced dissolution property when compared to the raw material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article presents a new microporous tube-in-tube microchannel reactor (MTMCR) with high throughput and excellent micromixing performance. In the MTMCR, one liquid from the inner tube is divided into many liquid fragments through the microscale pores in the walls, and then these fragments vertically collide with another flowing annular liquid sheet between the inner and outer tubes, generating cross-flow. The annular microchannel allows a mass of fluid to go through it rapidly without enlarging the channel width, thereby achieving a throughput as high as 9 L/min (typical microreactor throughput = 4−100 mL/min). Furthermore, the micromixing performance is expressed in terms of a segregation index, which can be as low as 0.0007. The micromixing time evaluated by the incorporation model reaches the magnitude of milliseconds. In addition, several factors affecting the micromixing such as reactant concentration, flow rate, volume flow ratio, micropore size, and channel width were investigated. The results indicated that an increase of the flow rate, as well as a reduction of the micropore size and channel width, could greatly intensify the micromixing. Therefore, it can be envisioned that the MTMCR would exhibit great potential for various industrial applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The solidification process from emulsion, which consisted of emulsifier, water and molten drug as oil phase without use of any organic solvent, was firstly employed to prepare ultrafine fenofibrate (FF) powder. The effects of stirring speed and volume ratios of hot emulsion to cold water on the particle size and morphology were discussed as well as the impacts of different emulsifiers on emulsion. The produced ultrafine powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, specific surface area analysis and a dissolution test. XRD patterns and FT-IR spectra showed that the ultrafine FF was crystalline powder with the structure and the components similar to those of bulk drug. The product had a mean particle size of about 3μm with a narrow distribution from 1μm to 5μm. The specific surface area reached up to 6.23m2/g, which was about 25 folds as large as that of bulk FF. In the dissolution tests, about 96.1% of ultrafine FF was dissolved after 120min, while there was only 38.1% of bulk drug dissolved, proving that the dissolution property of ultrafine FF was significantly improved when compared to commercial drug. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Direct encapsulation of water-soluble drug into silica microcapsules was facilely achieved by a sol–gel process of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in W/O emulsion with hydrochloric acid (HCl) aqueous solution containing Tween 80 and drug as well as cyclohexane solution containing Span 80. Two water-soluble drugs of gentamicin sulphate (GS) and salbutamol sulphate (SS) were chosen as model drugs. The characterization of drug encapsulated silica microcapsules by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), FTIR, thermogravimetry (TG) and N2 adsorption–desorption analyses indicated that drug was successfully entrapped into silica microcapsules. The as-prepared silica microcapsules were uniform spherical particles with hollow structure, good dispersion and a size of 5–10μm, and had a specific surface area of about 306m2/g. UV–vis and thermogravimetry (TG) analyses were performed to determine the amount of drug encapsulated in the microcapsules. The BJH pore size distribution (PSD) of silica microcapsules before and after removing drug was examined. In vitro release behavior of drug in simulated body fluid (SBF) revealed that such system exhibited excellent sustained release properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ultrafine gemfibrozil (GEM) was prepared by reactive precipitation process in which methyl cellulose (MC) was employed to inhibit the growth and the agglomeration of particles. The impact of NaOH concentrations on bulk GEM consumption was explored. The effects of H2SO4 concentrations and the drying methods on the particle size and morphology were also discussed. The produced ultrafine powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, specific surface area analysis and dissolution test. XRD patterns and FT-IR spectra showed that the as-obtained ultrafine GEM was a crystalline powder with the structure and components similar to those of bulk GEM. The ultrafine GEM had a mean particle size of about 1.25μm with a narrow distribution from 0.6 to 3μm. The specific surface area reached up to 11.01m2/g, which was about 6 times as large as that of bulk GEM. In the dissolution tests, about 91.2% of ultrafine GEM was dissolved after 120min, while there was only 23.6% of bulk GEM dissolved, proving that the dissolution property of ultrafine GEM was significantly enhanced when compared to commercial GEM owing to a decreased particle size and an increased specific surface area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple method for the preparation of novel egg-shell type platinum catalysts was developed and achieved by utilizing unique hollow silica nanostructures, i.e., hollow silica nanospheres and nanotubes, as supports. The observation by transmission electron microscopy indicated that the well-dispersed hollow silica supported Pt catalysts with a Pt particle diameter of 8–14nm can be successfully prepared by wet impregnation process and heat treatment. The Pt-loaded hollow silica nanostructures were also characterized by inductively coupled plasma, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. It was thus demonstrated that a higher Pt loading amount (0.392%) could be obtained under the same conditions except the addition of ammonia, which was found to be more effective than that (0.061%) with the addition of HCl in the immobilization of Pt. In addition, the effect of soaking time, Pt precursor concentration and calcination temperature on the loading of Pt in hollow silica nanostructures were investigated as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Prednisolone (PDL) microcrystals were successfully prepared by a controlled microprecipitation method. The characterization of PDL microcrystals by SEM and PSD indicated that the hexagonal and tetragonal PDL microcrystals with an average particle size of 1.60 and 1.46μm could be prepared under a stirring speed of 10,000rpm at 14 and 4°C, respectively. The morphology and the particle size of PDL could be well controlled, from 1.60 to 6.12μm for hexagonal microcrystals and 1.46 to 3.90μm for tetragonal ones, by altering the operating parameters such as temperature, stirring speed and stabilizers. The XRD, TGA–DSC, FT-IR and physical stability studies demonstrated that the as-prepared hexagonal and tetragonal PDL microcrystals with the same pseudopolymorphic form were much more stable in water than the commercial micronized PDL with another crystal form. The dissolution tests showed that the hexagonal and tetragonal PDL microcrystals exhibited significantly enhanced dissolution property when compared to commercial micronized PDL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of hollow morphologies, i.e., hollow silica nanospheres and nanotubes, as novel hosts on the immobilization of silver has been studied in [Ag(NH3)2]NO3 precursor solutions with various concentrations through heat treatment process. The corresponding antibacterial properties of Ag-supported hollow silica were also investigated. The formation of silver-loaded hollow silica at various calcinating temperatures was studied with XRD and UV–vis and it indicated that the mean size of the formed silver particles increased with the raise of annealing temperature. By TEM, AAS, EDS, XRD and UV, it could be concluded that Ag loading amount on hollow silica increased with increasing concentration of precursor Ag[(NH3)2]NO3, and more silver contents, smaller silver nanoparticles and better dispersion could be obtained on hollow tubes than hollow spheres. The antibacterial effects of Ag–SiO2 hollow composite powders against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and bacillus were examined by the plate counting method. Both composites demonstrated an excellent antibacterial performance, and the Ag-supported tubular hollow structure showed a stronger antibacterial ability than spherical hollow structure owing to its more silver contents, smaller and more evenly dispersed silver nanoparticles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mesostructured hollow silica nanotubes (MHSNTs) were successfully produced via the self-assembly of C16TMABr and silica species on the surface of needle-like calcium carbonate nanoparticles in an alkaline medium at room temperature. The characterization of MHSNTs by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pore size distribution (PSD) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) indicated that MHSNTs had uniform tubular hollow structures with big openings, a length of 1.5–2.0μm, an inner diameter of 150–200nm at the open end and 50–60nm at the closed end, and a wall thickness of 20–30nm, as well as a narrow PSD around 2.3nm in the shells and a BET surface area as high as ∼975.3 m2/g. By small-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET and pore structure analysis, it was found that more uniformly structured mesopores could be formed by the method of removing the double templates simultaneously through a solvent extraction process, as compared to the separate removal of the double templates by calcinating and then etching in an acidic solution, and the amount of C16TMABr affected the mesoporous structures of MHSNTs greatly. The formation processes of MHSNTs were also studied with XRD and FTIR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Porous hollow silica nanotubes (PHSNTs) were synthesized via a sol–gel route using needle-like CaCO3 nanoparticles as the inorganic templates. The as-prepared PHSNTs were subsequently employed as a support for immobilization of Ag nanoparticles. By BET, AAS, XRD and UV–VIS, it was found that more Ag was loaded on the PHSNTs when [Ag(NH3)2]NO3 was adopted as Ag precursor, as compared to AgNO3 as the precursor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This review presents the different combination methods of 3D printing and electrospinning processes and discusses the advantages of each method. Also, the applications of products of the hybrid process in the biomedical field, including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, are thoroughly discussed. 3D printing and electrospinning are separate approaches for generating structured materials in a variety of biomedical applications. However, some shortfalls, such as the low resolution of 3D printing and uncontrollable shape of electrospun products, limits their application performances. Therefore, new ideas that combine 3D printing and electrospinning methods are proposed to give full play to their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses, which provide an effective and powerful platform for fabricating novel structural materials. Finally, a future vision regarding challenges and perspectives in the combination of 3D printing and electrospinning techniques is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Monodispersed Ag–SiO2 core–shell nanoparticles with a high concentration of 400 mg/L were successfully fabricated by using tetraethoxysilane as silica precursor and reducing silver nitrate with ascorbic acid in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as stabilizing agent. The nanoparticles had a spherical silver core in a size range from 14–26 nm in diameter and an amorphous silica shell of 15–28 nm thickness, respectively. The antibacterial effects of Ag–SiO2 core–shell particles against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were tested by the usual twofold serial dilution method for minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). The results indicated that the core–shell nanoparticles owned excellent antibacterial effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shape-controlled porous silica structures with hollow interiors were synthesized by using CaCO3 nanoparticles with the corresponding morphologies and sizes as the inorganic templates. Through the hydrolysis of sodium silicate, a continuous coating of SiO2 was deposited over the surface of CaCO3 cores to form core–shell structures. Hollow silica structures were finally obtained after calcining process and dissolving CaCO3 in HCl dilute solution. The as-prepared hollow products were characterized with TEM, SEM, EDS, BET, and FT-IR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Upconversion nanophosphors (UCNPs) are considered as an important synthesis arm within biomedical and energy sectors due to their unique optical characteristics, which can convert near‐infrared light into higher energy emissions. However, key challenges, cost, compatibility of the materials, etc. have to be taken into serious consideration to transform this in‐lab UCNPs technology into scale‐up production for wider commercial needs. This review highlights the fundamental concepts of synthetic approaches for UCNPs and recaps recent advances in terms of large‐scale production. A number of typical synthesis routes in both batch and continuous processes are reviewed, alongside their limitations and potential improvements when being considered for mass production. By discussing and exploiting the technical compacity for the potential synthetic trends, key challenges, and expectations of future synthesis methods for UCNPs are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as the most widely utilized polyester, causes global environmental problems due to its massive and durable accumulation in natural environments. The glycolysis of PET is an attractive alternative to mechanical recycling, but there remains a strong demand for efficient, convenient, and inexpensive catalysts. Herein, we present a spray-drying-assisted way to construct magnetic hollow micro-sized nanoaggregates (HMNAs) by assembling composite metal oxide nanoparticles to depolymerize PET synergistically. The as-prepared ZnO–Fe3O4 HMNAs completely depolymerized PET with a high monomer yield of 92.3% in a short period of 30 min at 190 °C, far above individual ZnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs). The composite HMNAs can be magnetically separated in a few minutes and maintain a high activity for 5 cycles. DFT study reveals that the HMNAs effectively facilitated glycolysis by the high content of Lewis acid sites as well as the stronger adsorption between PET and the catalyst owing to the structural synergy effect of ZnO–Fe3O4 HMNAs. Furthermore, this spray drying strategy as a versatile and scalable methodology is extended to fabricate other HMNAs, exhibiting a similarly enhanced efficiency of glycolysis. The HMNAs are expected to open up avenues for the design of catalysts for upcycling of discarded plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent ZnO/polymer nanocomposites with good UV shielding performance have shown great potential applications. Due to the photocatalytic activity of ZnO, core-shell structure nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to fabricate the transparent polymer-based nanocomposites. However, it is still a challenge to synthesize core-shell structure NPs with small particle size and good dispersity, and difficult to maintain the transparency of the nanocomposites because of Rayleigh scattering caused by the big size or the aggregation of NPs. This article reports a novel reverse microemulsion combined with surface modification method for the synthesis of monodispersed silica-coated ZnO (ZnO@SiO2) NPs, which are introduced into ethocel (EC) matrix to fabricate the transparent nanocomposites by the solution-mixing method. The ZnO@SiO2 NPs with an average size of 12 nm have an obvious core-shell structure and show excellent monodispersity in toluene. The as-prepared EC/ZnO@SiO2 nanocomposites shield all the UV light completely under 350 nm and maintain the transparency of pure EC even the solid content reaches 60 parts per hundred of EC resin by weight (phr). Importantly, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs is eliminated thoroughly by the silica shell, which apparently improves the UV aging resistance of polymer (EC), enabling the applications of ZnO as durable and environmental friendly UV blocker in transparent plastics and coatings to extend the lifetime of the products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-coated nanodiamonds (NDs@POSS) were prepared via the amide formation between amine-functionalized POSS and oxygen-containing groups of NDs. The POSS structures grafted on the surface of NDs enable the NDs@POSS nanocomposites to be well-dispersed in organic solvents and polymers for multifunctional applications. The surface coating of NDs with POSS also bring other incidental advantages such as enhanced thermal stability and superhydrophobic of the NDs. NDs@POSS nanocomposites-embedded hybrid films based on polycarbonate and polyvinyl butyral were fabricated by solution blending methods, showing tunable refractive indexes in the range of 1.49-1.61. Furthermore, the powders of NDs@POSS were superhydrophobic with contact angle of water/air of 154°. Liquid marbles formed by coating the water droplet with NDs@POSS were prepared, and the process intensification effects of the NDs@POSS-based miniature reactors for degradation of methylene and fabrication of Ag nanoparticles were also demonstrated, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dental resin composites (DRCs), the structure of fillers has a great impact on the mechanical behavior. The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the reinforcement mechanism and mechanical behavior of DRCs with nanoparticle clusters (NCs) fillers, thereby providing a guidance for the optimal design of filler structures for DRCs. This work pioneers the use of discrete element method (DEM) simulations combined with experiments to study the mechanical behavior and reinforcement mechanism of DRCs with NCs fillers. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of NCs-reinforced DRCs have an improvement of 9.58 % and 15.02 % in comparison with nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs), respectively, because of the ability of NCs to deflect cracks and absorb stress through gradual fracturing. By using NCs and NPs as co-fillers, the internal defects of DRCs can be reduced, resulting in a further improvement of UCS of DRCs by 6.21 %. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of DRCs can be effectively improved by increasing the strength of NCs or reducing the size of NCs. This study deepens the understanding of relationship between filler structure and mechanical behavior in DRCs at the mesoscale and provides an avenue for the application of DEM simulations in composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to develop novel CaF 2 /SiO 2 nanoclusters (NCs) fillers, which can endow the dental resin composites (DRCs) with excellent mechanical properties, stable and sustained fluoride ion release, and good antibacterial activity. The CaF 2 /SiO 2 NCs were efficiently fabricated by assembling CaF 2 /SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) as building blocks with a spray-drying technology. CaF 2 /SiO 2 NCs with different SiO 2 coating amounts (20 wt%, 50 wt% and 80 wt%) were incorporated into the DRCs at the filler content of 55 wt% for the measurement of mechanical properties including flexural strength, flexural modulus, compressive strength, and hardness. The effect of the filling amount of CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs (50 represents 50 wt% SiO 2 coating amount) in the DRCs was investigated, while CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NPs were adopted as comparison group. The fluoride ion release and antibacterial activity of the DRCs with the optimal mechanical performances were evaluated. Furthermore, the statistical analyses were performed for mechanical properties. Spherical CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs with an average size of 2.4 µm were obtained at the feed rate of 7.4 mL/min and the CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NPs solid content of 2 wt% in the suspension. The optimum comprehensive performances of the DRCs can be achieved by filling 55 wt% CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs. Compared with CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NPs, the filling amount of CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs was increased by 5 wt% (50–55 wt%), and under the same filling amount of 50 wt%, the flexural strength, flexural modulus, compressive strength, and hardness of the DRCs containing CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs were improved by 9.8%, 17.7%, 7.5% and 69.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the DRCs filled with 50 wt% CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs exhibited more cumulative F-release by 126% and more stable F-release rate than the counterpart filled with 50 wt% CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NPs after immersed for 1800 h. And 55 wt% CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs filled DRCs could inhibit the growth of S. mutans, reaching an antibacterial ratio of 93%. The spray-dried CaF 2 /50SiO 2 NCs are promising fillers for the development of high-performance multifunctional DRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: 3D printing; biomedicine; combining method; electrospinning; scaffolds EN 3D printing biomedicine combining method electrospinning scaffolds 1 1 1 07/14/22 20220701 NES 220701 B Biofabrication b In article number 2101309, Norbert Radacsi and co-workers show that the combination of electrospinning with 3D printing can create scaffolds suitable for cell growth. 3D printing, biomedicine, combining method, electrospinning, scaffolds Combination of 3D Printing and Electrospinning Techniques for Biofabrication (Adv. [Extracted from the article]

Nanocomposites have been used in various industries due to their excellent properties. For some of them, high filler content (over 50 wt%) is beneficial to improving their performances. This study aims to explore the network model construction and properties of high filler content dental resin composites (DRCs). An improved multistep dynamic cross-linking procedure was proposed and firstly applied to construct the reasonable molecular model of high filler content DRCs. The predicted elastic modulus and stress–strain results of DRCs with different nanofiller contents show that the DRCs with a 70 wt% filler content have the most excellent mechanical properties. Furthermore, the dynamic property study indicates that the diffusion coefficient of matrices firstly decreased and then increased with the nanofiller content increasing from 0 to 80 wt%, reaching the lowest value at 70 wt%. The migration of resin matrices can be limited by nanofillers at the content within 70 wt%. However, when the filler content is excessively high (80 wt%), the stability of matrices is destroyed and the fractional free volume of DRCs sharply increases, resulting in a decrease of mechanical properties of DRCs. The findings of this study deepen the understanding of structures and properties of DRCs at the atomic/molecular scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The first method to synthesize targetable molecular weight poly(thioctic acid) (PTA). • Various cationic ring-opening polymerization systems of natural thioctic acid. • Controllable structure and properties of PTA homopolymer depends on molecular weight. • Chemically recyclable and self-healable PTA supramolecular adhesive material. Poly(disulfide) with dynamically reversible disulfide bonds in backbone is a kind of sustainable polymer materials. Poly(thioctic acid) (PTA) synthesized via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of natural thioctic acid (TA) is one of typical poly(disulfide)s with self-healing and adhesion properties due to abundant carboxyls in side chains. However, the quantificational ROP of TA has not been achieved based on the methods reported so far. The synthesis of PTA with targetable molecular weight by the cationic ROP (CROP) of TA was reported here. The molecular weight of PTA can be conveniently designed by the molar ratio of TA monomer to trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) initiator, and the properties of PTA can be regulated in this way. Moreover, the CROP of TA allows open-air conditions without inert protection. The closed-loop recycling of PTA can be achieved in the action of base and acid with high TA monomer recovery ratio up to 86.0% and 89.0%, respectively. PTA could be completely self-healing at 25°C or 80°C within 6 min after cutting on its surface. Our results demonstrate the possibility of applying this convenient CROP strategy for the synthesis of PTA with targetable molecular weights, controllable properties and application prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The adsorption of silane at CeO2 surfaces in solutions are studied by MD simulation. [•] Both single adsorbed silane as well as multiple adsorbed silanes are modeled. [•] The adsorption energy and RDFs were calculated for the adsorption process. [•] The solvent polarity affects the orientation and alignment of silane at CeO2 surface. [•] The number of adsorbed silanes within layer depends on the polarity of the solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable solutions on fabricating and using a face mask to block the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) spread during this coronavirus pandemic of 2019 (COVID‐19) are required as society is directed by the World Health Organization (WHO) toward wearing it, resulting in an increasingly huge demand with over 4 000 000 000 masks used per day globally. Herein, various new mask technologies and advanced materials are reviewed to deal with critical shortages, cross‐infection, and secondary transmission risk of masks. A number of countries have used cloth masks and 3D‐printed masks as substitutes, whose filtration efficiencies can be improved by using nanofibers or mixing other polymers into them. Since 2020, researchers continue to improve the performance of masks by adding various functionalities, for example using metal nanoparticles and herbal extracts to inactivate pathogens, using graphene to make masks photothermal and superhydrophobic, and using triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to prolong mask lifetime. The recent advances in material technology have led to the development of antimicrobial coatings, which are introduced in this review. When incorporated into masks, these advanced materials and technologies can aid in the prevention of secondary transmission of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasmall metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) may generate unique properties to expand the scope of applications. However, the synthesis is still a great challenge. Herein, we propose a strategy to synthesize ultrasmall MOFs by high gravity technology. With the aid of tremendous intensification of molecular mixing and mass transfer in high‐gravity field, six typical MOFs were obtained instantaneously in a continuous way. These samples are monodispersed with sub‐5 nm in size, smaller than the previously reported values and even close to the length of one crystal unit cell. As a proof‐of‐concept, catalytic activity for Knoevenagel reaction can be significantly enhanced using ultrasmall ZIF‐8. Conversion time of benzaldehyde was decreased by 94 % or 75 % compared to those using conventional or hierarchically porous ZIF‐8. More importantly, this approach is readily scalable with the highest space‐time yield for nano‐MOFs, which may promote the convenient synthesis and practical applications of ultrasmall MOFs in large‐scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasmall metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) may generate unique properties to expand the scope of applications. However, the synthesis is still a great challenge. Herein, we propose a strategy to synthesize ultrasmall MOFs by high gravity technology. With the aid of tremendous intensification of molecular mixing and mass transfer in high‐gravity field, six typical MOFs were obtained instantaneously in a continuous way. These samples are monodispersed with sub‐5 nm in size, smaller than the previously reported values and even close to the length of one crystal unit cell. As a proof‐of‐concept, catalytic activity for Knoevenagel reaction can be significantly enhanced using ultrasmall ZIF‐8. Conversion time of benzaldehyde was decreased by 94 % or 75 % compared to those using conventional or hierarchically porous ZIF‐8. More importantly, this approach is readily scalable with the highest space‐time yield for nano‐MOFs, which may promote the convenient synthesis and practical applications of ultrasmall MOFs in large‐scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A modified 3-parameter model was developed and applied to dental resin composites. • Packing density of inorganic fillers in dental resin composites was predicted. • Compared with experiments and simulations, the prediction error is within 1.40%. • Higher packing density is beneficial to improving the performance of composites. • The optimization of filler compositions can obtain a high packing density. The purpose of this study is to develop a mathematical model for efficient prediction of the packing density of different filler formulations in dental resin composites (DRCs), and to study properties of DRCs at the maximum filler loading (MFL), thereby providing an effective guidance for the design of filler formulations in DRCs to obtain excellent properties. The packing density data generated by discrete element model (DEM) simulation were used to re-derive the parameters of 3-parameter model. The modifier effect was also induced to modify the 3-parameter model. DRCs with 10 filler formulations were selected to test properties at the MFL. The packing densities of binary and ternary mixes in DRCs were calculated by 3-parameter model to explore the regularity of composite packing. The predicted packing density was validated by simulation and experimental results, and the prediction error is within 1.40 vol%. The optimization of filler compositions to obtain a higher packing density is beneficial to enhancing the mechanical properties and reducing the polymerization shrinkage of DRCs. In binary mixes, the maximum packing density occurs when the volume fraction of small fillers is 0.35−0.45, and becomes higher with the reduction of particle size ratio. In ternary mixes, the packing density can reach the maximum value when the volume fractions of large and small fillers are in the 0.5−0.75 and 0.15−0.4 ranges, respectively. The modified 3-parameter model can provide an effective method to design the multi-level filler formulations of DRCs, thereby improving the performance of the materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The good mechanical performances and caries inhibition of resin composites (RCs) are of great importance in dental restoration. Generally, the addition of SiO2 can improve the mechanical properties of RCs, while the introduction of fluoride (F) ions is capable of preventing caries. In this work, we first report the use of CaF2/SiO2 core–shell nanoparticles (CaF2/SiO2 NPs) as novel fillers for developing RCs with excellent mechanical properties and sustained F release. The results show that the superior performances of RCs can be obtained by filling 50 wt.% CaF2/50%SiO2 NPs, where the flexural strength, flexural modulus, compressive strength, and hardness were, respectively, increased by 111.5%, 41.4%, 61.7% and 66.8%, compared with the RCs filled with CaF2 nanoparticles. In addition, the initial F-release rate of RCs containing 50 wt.% CaF2/50%SiO2 NPs was 2.5 ± 0.4 μg/(h cm2), while the sustained release rate and the F release ratio were 0.96 ± 0.15 μg/h·cm2 and 5.22‰ after 1632 h (68 days), respectively. It was much more stable and sustained compared with the counterpart filled with CaF2 NPs. Therefore, it could be envisioned that CaF2/SiO2 NPs have a great potential as inorganic fillers in dental RCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet‐curable polyurethane acrylate (PUA) materials can be used in a number of important applications spanning from microfluidics, surface patterning to wearable technology. For the first time, the potential of encapsulation of modified zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles is reported in PUA‐based hybrid films aimed to facilitate profoundly enhanced hardness and refractive index. By successfully manipulating the interfacial reaction conditions between ZrO2 nanoparticles and PUA film, the PUA‐based nanocomposites exhibit an ultrahigh hardness of 9 and superior refractive index of 1.64 (589.3 nm). The outcomes obtained pave the way for seamless application of nanozirconia/PUA as a potent encapsulating material that provides structurally morphable, water resistant, and optically transparent light emitting diodes toward wearables devices in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Microporous tube-in-tube microchannel is a high-throughput device to produce emulsions. [•] An O/W emulsion throughput of 5L/min could be achieved. [•] Anionic and nonionic surfactants were more suitable for preparing stable O/W emulsions. [•] Smaller micropore size and annular channel width could generate smaller droplet diameter. [•] Micropore size has the larger effect on the emulsification pressure drop of this device. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Resveratrol is a highly polyphenolic substance which possesses extensive physiological activities. However, its application is limited by light instability and poor aqueous solubility. In this paper, resveratrol nanodispersion with high light stability and water dissolution rate was prepared by a combination of antisolvent precipitation in the presence of nontoxic polymer and spray-drying. The active ingredients of the unprocessed raw resveratrol decreased 80 wt% when exposed to sun light directly, while that of the resveratrol nanodispersion only reduced 14 wt% at the same condition. The resveratrol nanodispersion dissolved completely in less than 45 min, while raw resveratrol didn''t dissolve completely after 120 min. Meanwhile, resveratrol nanodispersion exhibited better antioxidant activity compared to that of raw resveratrol when added in artificial intestinal juice. This study is helpful to promote the application of resveratrol and provides a routine for enhancing stability and water solubility of photosensitive lipophilic materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Micronized silybin particles were successfully prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method. Uniform spherical and rod-shaped particles with a mean size of 2.48 and 0.89μm could be obtained using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration of 0.1wt% at 30 and 15°C, respectively. The characterization of silybin particles by SEM and particle size distribution (PSD) indicated that with the increase of temperature from 15 to 30°C, the as-prepared particles became bigger and had a tendency to turn into spherical shapes; with the increase of SDS concentration from 0.02 to 0.1wt%, the span of PSD became narrower while the mean particle size kept almost unchanged. XRD patterns and FT-IR spectra showed that the spherical and rod-shaped silybin particles possessed decreased crystallinity; however, the chemical structure and components were similar to those of the commercial silybin powder. Dissolution tests demonstrated that both of the spherical and rod-shaped silybin particles exhibited significantly enhanced dissolution rate when compared to the commercial silybin powder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Titania nanotubes with mesostructured walls (TiNTMs) have been prepared by a simple procedure with surfactant octadecylamine and needle-like CaCO3 as double templates at room temperature in nonaqueous system. Pore-size distribution (PSD) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the morphologies and mesostructures of the as-prepared titania nanotubes. The results indicated that TiNTMs had uniform tubular hollow structures with big openings, a length of 1.5–2.0 μm, the average inner diameters at the two ends of 150–300 and 100–150 nm, respectively, and a wall thickness of approximately 40 nm. A high surface area of 328 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.847 cm3/g and the maximum pore size centered at 7.45 nm were obtained in the as-prepared sample. The formation processes of TiNTMs were also studied with XRD and FT-IR. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ammonia borane (AB) is considered to be a promising solid hydrogen carrier. In this work, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP)-protected platinum nanoparticles are supported on γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-MPS) modified silica spheres (Pt-PVP/SiO 2 (M)), which are firstly used as highly efficient catalysts for hydrolysis of AB. Platinum nanoparticles possess a tiny size of 2–3 nm and are uniformly dispersed over modified silica spheres. Pt-PVP/SiO 2 (M) catalysts with a Pt loading amount of 1.30 wt% show the highest catalytic activity with a turnover frequency (TOF) value of 371 mol H2 mol Pt −1 min−1 (866 mol H2 mol Pt −1 min−1 corrected for the surface atoms) at 25 °C. The activation energy is calculated to be 46.2 kJ/mol. Furthermore, owing to the synergistic effect between the modifier of silica spheres and the capping agent of metal nanoparticles, Pt-PVP/SiO 2 (M) catalysts have a higher loading amount (8.7 and 6.5 times) and TOF value (4.8 and 5.5 times) than the counterparts prepared without γ-MPS and PVP, respectively. [Display omitted] • PVP-protected Pt nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on modified SiO 2 spheres. • This catalyst showed superior catalytic activity for hydrolysis of ammonia borane. • The highest TOF value of 371 mol H 2 mol Pt−1 min−1 at 25 °C was achieved. • The synergistic effect between the PVP and the modifier of silica was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel double-template route to synthesize silica hollow spheres with mesostructured walls using nano-sized calcium carbonate particles as inorganic templates and cationic surfactant as organic templates at room temperature was presented. X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the morphologies and mesostructures of the as-prepared silica hollow spheres. The effect of inorganic template/surfactant ratio on the pore structure of the hollow spheres was studied. Experimental results indicated that the hollow spheres had an average diameter of nearly 40 nm with a surface area of ∼766–1050 m2/g. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Porous hollow silica nanoparticles (PHSNP) with a diameter of 60–70 nm and wall thickness of approximately 10 nm were synthesized by using CaCO3 nano-particles as the inorganic template. The characterization of PHSNP by TEM and BET indicated that PHSNP were uniform spherical particles with good dispersion, and had a specific surface area of 867 m2/g. The as-synthesized PHSNP were subsequently employed as drug carrier to investigate in vitro release behavior of cefradine in simulated body fluid. UV-spectrometry and TG analyses were performed to determine the amount of cefradine entrapped in the carrier. The BJH pore size distribution of PHSNP before and after entrapping cefradine was examined. Cefradine release profile from PHSNP followed a three-stage pattern and exhibited a delayed release effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a novel sterilization technology (i.e. , catalytic disinfection), a disinfectant with high efficiency, economy, safety, and/or long lifespan is sought, while the mechanism is to be revealed. Herein, compared with noble Ag, Cu adopted has successfully modulated CuNPs/ZnIn 2 S 4 (Cu/ZIS) disinfectants via a green photodeposition at room temperature. The Cu/ZIS-driven catalytic disinfection under indoor lighting (Vis, 420 < λ < 630 nm) exhibited excellent bactericidal efficiencies of 100% both for P. aeruginosa (≥ 6 logs) and mixed bacteria in natural water (i.e. , Dongtiaoxi River), while it also functions as hindering bacteria regrowth and suppressing Cu loss. The bacteria death process (e.g. , cell membrane damage, intracellular compounds leaching) was studied via quasi-dynamically monitoring and a new action mechanism of Cu/ZIS with in-situ regeneration of Cu atomic clusters was also uncovered. These results provide a cheap well-designed disinfectant with a long lifespan, and a feasibility of catalytic disinfection for harmful microorganisms. [Display omitted] • A novel CuNPs/ZnIn 2 S 4 (Cu/ZIS) disinfectant was modulated by a green energy-saving method. • Ultra-efficient and broad-spectrum disinfection efficacy was achieved. • The process of bacterial death was quasi-dynamically monitored. • The disinfection mechanisms employed Cu/ZIS in visible light irradiation were elucidated. • A new action mechanism of Cu/ZIS with in-situ regeneration of Cu atomic clusters was uncovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inorganic fillers in dental resin composites can enhance their mechanical properties and reduce polymerization shrinkage. When the usage amount of inorganic fillers is closed to maximum filler loading (MFL), the composites will usually achieve optimal performances. This study aims to develop a method that can predict the MFL of dental resin composites for the optimization of filler formulations. A method based on discrete element method (DEM) simulations and experiments was firstly developed to predict the MFL of spherical silica particles for single-level and multi-level filling. The results indicate that the presence of modifier can increase the MFL, and the MFL increment can be exponentially changed with the content of the modifier. Compared with the single-level filling, the addition of secondary fillers is beneficial to increase the MFL, and the increment can be affected by the particle size and size ratio. The prediction results show a good agreement with the experiment results. The accuracy of prediction results indicates a great potential of DEM simulations as a numerical experimental method in studying the MFL, and provides an effective method for the optimization of filler formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disperse dyes are poorly water‐soluble and difficult to stably disperse in an aqueous medium, which greatly limits their application in dyeing synthetic fibers. Micronization can solve this problem. Herein, a facile way to prepare stable aqueous nanodispersions of disperse dye (C.I. disperse yellow 54) is presented by combining high‐gravity antisolvent precipitation in a rotating packed bed (RPB) with spray drying. The as‐prepared product had an average particle size of 120 nm, which could be readily redispersed in water. Compared with raw dye, the wettability and dispersibility of disperse dye nanoparticles were remarkably improved. Furthermore, the dyeing properties of the nanodispersions were obviously better than those of the commercial dye, which was micronized by ball milling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose, which is one of the most abundant solid by-products of agriculture and forestry industry, has been successfully tested for the synthesis of nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon-based metal-free catalysts (NPC) via freeze-drying the mixture of cellulose crystallite and ammonium phosphate, followed by annealing of the hydrogel under nitrogen atmosphere at 800 °C for 2 h. Different techniques including TEM, SEM, FTIR and XPS spectroscopy have been applied to characterize the as-prepared NPC, which presents flake-like morphology with N and P doping levels of 4.3 atom% and 10.66 atom%, respectively. The NPC exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of p -nitrophenol (p -NP). The turnover frequency (TOF) of the reduction of p- NP is as high as 2 × 10−5 mmol·mg−1·min−1 and the apparent kinetic rate constant was calculated as 0.0394 min−1 at room temperature. The catalytic mechanism is proposed by combining the density functional theory calculation and analysis of the experimental results. These findings open up new possibilities of valorization for cellulose-based by-product and treatment of p -NP-based wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molybdenum disulfide/graphene (MoS2/rGO) nanocomposites are a promising candidate for energy storage materials. However, it is still a challenge to uniformly disperse MoS2 on rGO nanosheets, which the performance mainly depends on. In this work, we demonstrate a novel method to synthesize the three-dimensional (3D) MoS2/rGO nanocomposites by the high-gravity reactive precipitation in a rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor combined with the hydrothermal method. The prepared nanocomposites have higher purity and larger specific surface area than that prepared in the traditional stirred tank reactor (STR). More importantly, MoS2 is uniformly and densely dispersed on rGO nanosheets, resulting in the formation of an even 3D network structure and contributing to the achievement of excellent energy storage performance. The specific capacitance of the nanocomposites reaches 294 F g−1 at a scan rate of 20 mV s−1, which is obviously higher than that of pure MoS2 (122 F g−1) and rGO (23 F g−1). The calculated energy density and power density are 57 Wh kg−1 and 50 W kg−1, respectively. Moreover, the preparation process is environmentally friendly, controllable and suitable for a large-scale production, which is significantly important for the development of the electrode materials applied in the supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the synthesis of highly dispersible zirconia (ZrO 2) nanoparticles in sub-kilogram-scale by hydrothermal process coupled with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) treatment, with detailed studies on the effects of experimental parameters. Under optimized experimental condition, which was hydrothermal reaction at 110 °C for 6 h with mole ratio of sodium hydrate to zirconium carbonate basic in reactants as 2.3, pure-phase cubic-ZrO 2 nanoparticles are obtained. Followed by AHP treatment of the ZrO 2 nanoparticles at 50 °C for 5 h in 0.4 M hydrogen peroxide and 4 M sodium hydrate, the dispersibility of ZrO 2 nanoparticles in aqueous suspension was enhanced due to the introduced Zr-OH groups on the surface. ZrO 2 nanodispersion with solid content of 37 wt% in aqueous solution exhibited a uniform hydrodynamic size of 14.15 ± 5.834 nm and was stable for over six months without significant aggregates. Transparent hybrid optical resins with tunable refractive index in the range of 1.55–1.71 were prepared by solution blending method using ZrO 2 nanoparticles as composite fillers in polyvinyl alcohol substrate. Compared with pure polyvinyl alcohol resin, the hybrid resin exhibits significant enhanced mechanical properties. Sub-kilogram-scale preparation of highly aqueous dispersible ZrO 2 nanoparticles offers possibility for practical applications. Unlabelled Image • A scalable method for synthesis of highly dispersible zirconia nanoparticles • ZrO 2 nanodispersion with solid content of 37 wt% was stable for over six months. • The refractive index of transparent hybrid resins was tunable between 1.55 and 1.71. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]